Biographical Note:

Born in Greenfield, Indiana on October 7, 1849, James Whitcomb Riley was a famed American poet and writer, best known for his Hoosier dialect verse in noted works Raggedy Man (1907), The Little Orphan Annie (1908), and The Old Swimmin’ Hole and Other Poems (1912). Riley was also a prominent Indianapolis resident, whose house at 528 Lockerbie St. later became a historic building and museum of his work that was named a National Historic Landmark in 1962. James Whitcomb Riley died July 22, 1916 from complications resulting from a stroke. Riley is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery and his tomb sits on one of the highest points in Marion County.

Scope and Content Note:

The collection contains Riley’s letters to Kentucky author Madison Cawein, general correspondence, and manuscript poems written by Riley. Also included are printed copies of Riley’s poems, essays, and newspaper stories about Riley.

Photocopying Policy:

Manuscript materials CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.

Box and Folder Listing:

Box 1.

Folder

1.

Letters

2.

Letters to Madison Cawein, 1891 – 1901

3.

Biographical Materials

4.

Newspaper Clippings

5.

Photostat of “Old Man and Jim”

6.

Postcards

7.

Miscellaneous Articles, Scrapbook, and Poems

OBC77

Broadsides (2 items)

OBD38

Broadsides (2 items)

Collection Information

Size of Collection:

1 mss box, 7 folders, 2 os folders

Collection Dates:

1876 – 1940

Provenance:

H.J. Mahan, 1929; Mrs. AW.A. Lybrad, 1965; G. Michelmore & Co., 1931

Access :

The collection is open for research use

Restrictions:

Subject to Copyright Restrictions

Reproduction Rights:

Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript and Rare Books Division, Indiana State Library.